For the second time in just over two weeks, the Professional Women's Hockey League's Walter Cup didn't reach its scheduled destination.
Former Montreal Victoire left winger Shiann Darkangelo wrote in an Instagram post Saturday that the Cup didn't arrive in time for an event with Athleta in Brighton, Mich.
"I know many of you were excited to see the Cup," wrote Darkangelo, who signed with Detroit's expansion franchise this summer. "I'm genuinely disappointed that it won't be there."
The Cup had yet to be delivered as of Saturday afternoon, but its location was known, according to a source close to the situation who was granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly.
The Cup previously did not arrive on time for an Aug. 20 appearance with Montreal Victoire forward Dara Greig in Lethbridge, Alta., and the league was unsure of its whereabouts at the time.
"The Walter Cup keeper trophy awarded to the Montreal Victoire did not arrive as expected at its latest stop on the team's tour," the PWHL said in a statement at the time. "We are working closely with the shipping company to locate it."
The trophy was eventually found and returned to Montreal on Aug. 24.
The PWHL used the same shipping company for this week's event as it did in August, the source confirmed.
"I'm sorry to everyone who was looking forward to seeing the cup," Darkangelo wrote on Instagram. "I'll still be at Athleta from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. if you'd like to shop, take a photo, and say hello. I'd love to see you there!"
The trophy that has endured perilous travel isn't the actual Walter Cup. The official trophy, approximately 24 1/2 inches high, 13 inches wide, 12 1/2 inches long and weighing 35 pounds, was presented to the Victoire after they defeated the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 to win the PWHL championship in May. That trophy is kept in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, while each championship team is issued its own replica to keep and tour around the continent.
The PWHL formed in August 2023, with its inaugural puck drop on Jan. 1, 2024. Originally a six-team league, it grew to eight teams in 2025-26 and then 12 ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 season. The Minnesota Frost won the league's first two championships, and Montreal became the first Canadian team to win a title in 2026.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic .
Montreal Victoire, Women's Hockey, women's sports
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